Means to facilitate the classification and selection of desired entries from a list



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Oct. 28, 1958 Filed Nov. 17, 1952 F. H. ERDMAN ANS T0 FACILITATE THECLASSIFICATION AND SELECTION 0F DESIRED ENTRIES fll FIG. I

FROM A LIST 5 Sheets-Sheet l nel Garages. nt'd) IVM (su Advenbrmem ThisPage) Dlnkl J W rr Mmm-1943 a r a pg, mam Defamer Smm une Allemwn raAllammlgan 3-9584 ur en n, Mephrd-9$49 M @mph- HALEY' ll M n mu.l.lncl-3000 Dndsnnlnl rr 141 sur se .Und-9446 Dwahshna Sen Inn-0x40Martian' S waal on Il Whg Il Va." M4700 MM en rd-3456 Orth-9600 rw u naus Florida e Servlte Sllllm a av m. nc 33108 Farmville GIRI! 18s: um mn. e Franks Garage lana r Furman Motor Co Duke ext Gaucha;

u. 2201 Channl M,

n I n REoblc-9266 Gordon Bros Wm um 1j Us Tqadad-ZDZD Grays Gara:rn-2186 Guenter! 459 av nl. lrnltn9367 Greene low Cn s M4262 EromanGeneral epa" ara e Harbor Service C nun a 'mmm swig muy* EMERGENDY ROADSERVlCE Muon Darll billones 6 Fleu er llresTGarigl 2 Kalurarna r :meener bw mamar Key Brllp 1625 You nu "Uhn-3600 Lenox Motor Il (rHIJ 13Ray': Garage le, (nene/"fig l Garages. (cont'd) Ml Ranler Gir ff IV BIl'.

mmm w T Nunlwnsl.

Gcneral Repairs On All akes of Cars Body 8x Fender Work USED CARS Am 9nu. can AD am um B13 Fla av ml ,Ml chlganlll .NOM-940) u oxford @not NParkers Garagr 1 Parkland Service Sil Hll Rd L Mlrllml Pllre FarllndHl|sd-9555 van@ me shmmim... neun-94m Perkins Chrvtrly rage rr S435Inmac ls ra DHKP HU IFI [N525 Fury's Aam Szrrk:. .T

590| Central av Cap hals Jordn -9435 FLMUTH AUTOMDIILE SERVICE- HALEYSIN at lit se. M11-3000 M RANDALL MQTORS INC mrA entr-4800 Red's KaiserFr zo ne. rra-3355 HWARIMIN RA E GENERAL Bnv AND FENDER woRK E IE a 51913th s ncnln 4-B945 Sliver 5 ri Gara a av pg rpnro-l744 Taylor .las 7 Rv AYLDR Snventor Francis H. Erdman attorney s Oct. 28, 1958 F. H. ERDMAN2,853,687

NEANs 'ro EAEILIIAIE THE CLASSIFICATION AND sELEcIIoN oF DESIRED ENTRIESFROM A LIST Filed Nov. 17, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 nventor Francis H.Erdman D MEIN' l Gitonegs Oct. 28, 1958 F. H. ERDMAN 2,857,687

MEANS To FACILITATE THE CLASSIFICATION AND-SELECTION 0F DESIRED ENTRIESFROM A LIST Filed Nov. 17. 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 v FIC-.v 4

l2 I 4 F nventor roncis H. Erdman FIG. 3

I9 Gttomeg Oct. 28,

Filed Nov v195sv F. H. ERDMAN MEANS TO FAGILITATE THE CLASSIFICATION ANDSELECTION 0F DESIRED ENTRIES FROM A LIST 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7

a INVENTOR, Francas H. Erdman HHH scum

Oct. 28, 1958 F. H. ERDMAN 2,857,687

MEANS To FACILITATE THE CLASSIFICATION AND SELECTION 0F DESIRED ENTRIESFROM A LIST Filed Nova 17, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 N35 Hc FIG. 9

Garages. (cont'd) Rainier Gara e General Repairs On All Makes of CarsBody & Fender Work USED CARS Afm P RM. cm AD am 4m su ma av fm .unmgm-om null-3355 Parler's Garage ...Owens-1411 Parkland knie:

Sil Hll Rd l( Marhru Pik! M al m se. m4'3000 RANDALL MOYORS INC nw.Xeclv 4800 Fedeval Fdlman Fleer. 5min fluida Ave Gordon Gray's man 51913th SQ 4 &

HM umm.

322B Nayr rd Sl MII mlsn-2957 wc I AUMOBILE DEAD SORAGE 1311 U ml I .N0lul-3343 49 LEARY H l Lenox Snventor Froncls H. Erdman Gttorneg:

I United States Patene Q MEANS TO FACILITATE THE CLASSIFICATIONNLELECTION 0F DESIREDv ENTRIES FROM Francis H. Erdman, McLean', Va.

Application November 17, 1952, SerialrNo. 320,925

Claims. (Cl. 35-40) This invention relates to means to facilitate theclassilication of and selection of desired entries `from.a..list. Suchlists include lis'ts'of individuals, places, businesses, documents, partnumbers and the like. Thepurpose of.. this invention is to provide a newmethod of classifying listsl which. can-either be used independently or.in combination with the usual method of divisions and subdivisions. Theprinciple advantage of this .invention -fis that it is not necessary toarrange the'entries of thelist yin any. particular order and hence itcan be appliedto a list` which is already arranged to meet otherconsiderations.

In accordance with my invention, the classification of a list includesthe grouping together or identicationof all entries having somecharacteristic 4or characteristics in common. Such commoncharacteristics may vary widely, depending on the type of list involved.By way of exam-` ples, if the list is of professional men theclassification` 'might show their specialty or their educationalbackground. If the list isof restaurants `vit might showtheirlocation,.price scale, or type of entertainment. lf the list isofbusinesses it might show their nancial rating, productssold, locationor size. If the list is of documents such as letters, it might show thedate, subject7 reference, author, disposition, and the like. Heretoforethe technique yused in preparing and using classified lists is to -40group the entries into divisions and subdivisions based on one lor moreof the most appropriate characteristics of the entries involved. Sincethis invention can beapplied to any list, it can be applied to apreviously classified list by utilizing other characteristics, inaddition to those originally used.

My invention contemplates the relating of the variations in acharacteristic to the points across the width of the list or a speciallyprovided associatedn column, not: necessarily on the same carrier, andthen by means 'ofappropriate symbols or indicia to identify thepoint-for each entry which corresponds to the correct value-of thecharacteristic in question.A A selector is provided for use inconnection with such indicia which will enable one tov quickly selectparticular entries on thebasis of the location ofv the above mentionedindicia. A coder is provided whichy defines the relation betweenthelocation of the indicia and the values and thel like o'f-thecharacteristics in question.

Thus, my invention preferably includes three major components: t

(l) A list having for each entry appropriate indicia located atsignificant points across the width of thelist oran associated column'.

(2) A selector for identifying those entries having-similarly locatedindicia.

(3) A coder which provides the relation between the locationV of theindicia and the values of the' characteristics'i'n question.'

For purposes of illustration in accompanying' drawingsk Il have shown apractical application ofmy inventionl as applied' to' business listingsin aV telephone" directory ICC wherein each entry has a line associatedwith' it, the opposite ends. of which' provide a pair o-f indicia pointsassoci-l ating it withits location cna map constituting a Vcode and inorder to quickly select the desired Aentry a transparent` selector isprovided.havingreference lines thereon corresponding with the indicia`points of the entry to be selected.v Thus ,when this selector ispositioned "over a column of" such-entries the selection/ot' therentryVor entriesas to, location, may be determinedat a glance, assuchreferene. lines are positionedftode'pict a definite location.on,.th,e 4 code .map andZ allfentrieshaving `their' lindicia. pointsycorrea. sponding with ,the .tworeferencelines yon the selectorgwillj bein .such selected-,denite location.` By Ychangirigfthc positions .ofvsuch .reference lines. .oii. `the :selector .any ,othfer; desiredlocation on i the `:code @map` may vbe `established for. selection. ofcorresponding .,entries.: Of course, where partictdarreference point isinvolved, a selectorhaving lines corresponding .toall indicia points, asshown in one form of selector, the 4selector `may be used Yto locate on:the map code each of the entries.-

The above example has reference to geographical ,loca-1 tion of theentries, places of busine'ss. However aspreviously indicatedmy inventionis not limited to such geof, graphic coding. Obviously .dilferent formsof codes may be employed as orexample in business,- accountingpricelists and discounts or even secret coding arrangements..

Further objects and advantages of my invention-willeA appear in thefollowing description of an application, thereof to a list of telephonesubscribers forthe purpose. of illustration, reference being had toaccompanying i drawings forming a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of a portion of a page from a classified telephonedirectory wherein the list entries bear indicia and a selectorfissuperimposed'over one of the4 columns of listings.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the reverse side of the selector shown in Fig.l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3,--3- of Fig. 2.

Figs. 4 and 4a comprise :a plan view of the-coder--in the example shown,a map for locating the-list entries selected lfrom the page shown inFig. l.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form -oselecton Fig. 6 is asectional viewl taken on line, 6 6 of Fig.5

Fig. 7 is a planview ofv a further modified form, of. selector.

Fig. 8 is a sectional View on the line S-Sof Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a plan-view of a further modified form .ofselectorsuperimposed over two columns of the telephone; classifiedlis't pageshown in Fig. l.

A classified telephone directory is frequently used to find the nearestbeauty parlor, garage, plumber, or-v res-.y taurant, by way of examples.The procedure followed involves noting the `location of each entryunderthe sub-., division in question until thenearest one is found.Frequently this method has proved very time consuming and therefore inaccordance withv my invention, I have provided means of reducing thetime and inconvenience to a minimum.

This invention provides means for relating the geographical location ofany-address to some-particular point or points along the width of thetelephoney directory col-f umn in which each telephone is listed. Themethod of: ,selecting and identifying these points is not considered ,assigniiican't as the basic principle that corclations can be establishedbetween them and the geographical location of the various telephones.The following is presented' as one practical means of lutilizingthisprinciple.

In general, for the purpose` of illustration, the principl'es of thisinventionare shown applied'toalist'l()j of telephone subscribers and inparticular the classified telephone book is used although thealphabetical list would serve just as well. Several variations ofselectors, 11, lla, lib and lll@ are shown together with a coder 12,which in this case is a map, since the location oi' each telephone isthe characteristic in question.

*ctually, in connection with such telephone listings, there are twocharacteristics involved, the north-south location and the west-eastlocation, hence two indicia are required for coordination on the coderi2, comprising the map which, as shown in Figs. 4 and 4a, is dividedinto halves so that it may be illustrated to a larger scale on thedrawing sheets. As shown, the coder or map 12 which may be in sections,though preferably as a whole and not separated, is divided intohorizontal and vertical spaces or zones by equally spaced parallel linesi3 and ld respectively. The horizontal zones or spaces to 9 inclusivedefined by horizontal lines i3, dene the locations north to south, whilethe vertical zones or spaces A to I inclusive deiined by vertical EinesM- deflne the locations west to east. The indicia applied to the listentries consist of a pair of dots l and lo applied to each list entrycorresponding with north-south and west-east locations ot the coder ormap i2.

It is desirable, but not necessary, to limit each indiciurn to any pointwithin a half of a column width f1.7, thereby avoiding overlapping. lnthis oase the indicia dots l5 and lo are preferably connected by a lineandapplied as horizontal underlinings of varying lengths under the rstline of each entry, and the ends of each underline are considered asrepresenting the dots l5 and lo, the desired indicia. The lett hand endof the line that is dot i5, corresponds to the north-south location andthe right hand end of the line, the dot i6, corresponds to the west-eastlocation. Thus, two characteristics can be identiiied at once, whetherthey be location, profession, cost, dates, size, llinancial rating, orthe like. Thus, the two characteristics re represented by the two dots.one l5 in the left half of a column 117 of the list ltr and the other 16in the right half of the column and where other indicia are not applied,the solid line i3 connecting these dots facilitates the observation ofthe indicia, the ends of such line being the indicia points to beconsidered in making the selection of the desired entry.

In applying such indicia to a list, which could be classifiedadvertisements, amusement places in newspapers, magazines or the like,telephone alphabetical, or classified listings as shown in the drawings,let it be assumed that the area covered by a particular directory is rstsubdivided by a rectangular grid consisting, for example, of ten equalunits on each side. rlfhe width of the printed directory column Si? isthus correspondingly divided into twenty vertical full length imaginarystrips of equal width. The ten strips which compose the left hand sideof the column are then considered to correspond to the ten horizontalrows of the rectangular grid and the ten strips which compose the righthand side of the column correspond to the ten vertical rows of the grid.ln particular, the left hand strip corresponds to the top row and so onin order across the left hand side of the column. The next strip or thefirst one on the right hand side of the column corresponds to theextreme left vertical row of the grid and so on in order until theextreme right hand strip corresponds to the right hand vertical row.With such an arrangement it is then possible to relate the location ofany point in the area in question to the two corresponding verticalstrips of the appropriate printed column of the telephone directory.

Ideally speaking there is a point for point relationship between the mapor order l2 and the printed column or associated column. ln other wordsevery point on the map corresponds to two and only two specific pointsof the printed column. Practically speaking it is necessary to divideboth the map and the printed column into the reasonably sizedsubdivisions as described above.

In order to immediately interpret each underline, that is the in'dicia,in terms of geographical location, the transparent selector lil issuperimposed over the column or columns which are to be examined, asshown in Figs.. l and 9.

rihis selector il preferably comprises a rectangular strip oftransparent material, such as plastic, and in this. form as shown inFigs. l, 2 and 3, is provided with equally spaced parallel index or zonelin'es i9 in the formof grooves in the under face of the selector so asto close-- ly engage the column inthe directory to which it is toy beapplied. These lines deiine the twenty full length strips or zones ofthe driectory column referred to above.. in particular tl ese lines aredrawn sol that one line bisects each of the imaginary strips. The upperend of the selector is identied with the letters N, S, W, E engraved inthe under face corresponding with north, south, west and eastrespectively for convenience in reference to the directions with respectto the reference point or area on the map l2, and the columns deiincd bythe lines i9, preferably at both the top and bottom, are designated bynumerals 0 to 9 inclusive and letters A to l inclusive, likewisepreferably engraved in the under face of the selector.

It will be observed that two of the lines, 3 and G for' example, aredarkened, that is, they may be inked, and in this way any location suchas 3G on the map 12, or coder may be established as a reference point orarea as just mentioned, from which reference point other pointsasindicated by the indicia points as denoted by the underlying lines ofother entries on list itl may be compared, when the selector issuperimposed over the column of list lil to be examined. in suchposition, it will be noted that the indicia en'ds of each of theunderlines 18 will terminate, one at one of the N-S lines and the otherat a W-E line of the selector.

When an end or indicinm of a line coincides with the reference line Gbetween W and E, it means that that particular entry is located onexactly the same longitude as the place for which the selector has beenprepared for reference. lf the end of an underline lies to the right ofthe marked division or reference line G' it means that the entry iscast, and when left, west, oi the reference point. Similarly, when theother end of a horizontal line coincides with the reference line 3between N and S it means that that entry has the same latitude as thatof the reference point. When an end is to the right of the N and Sreference line 3, the entry is south, and when left, north of thereference point. Since the full half column width of the directoryrepresents the full ertical and horizontal size of the city or area inquestion one can estimate fairly accurately just how far away a specificentry is. Obviously when both ends of an underline coincide with bothreference lines, then that entry is in the reference 3G area of the maplil. 'i his reference point or area was selected at random for thepurpose of illustration. Of course other lines 3 9 may be darkenedaccording to the reference point or location in which the user isinterested, such as by use of pen and ink. By the use of an ink which,after drying, may be rendered soluble by water, a change from the lineswhich have been darkened by the ink to the darkening of other lines maybe accomplished by washing away the old ink, drying and inking the newlyselected lines.

Frith t e selector lll having the lines 3 and G marked, it is onlyusable in the position 3G as the point of reference and for other areasas points of reference the selectors have to be correspondingly marked.The value of marking such reference points on selectors will be readilyappreciated by those using them so that the listings in the columnhaving the nearest addresses may be detected at a glance.

In order to provide a selector which may be useful at differentreference points various forms of selectors have been devised such asvari-colored strips, readily attachable lines, as well as others butmost practical for such usage are the forms illustrated in Figs.` and 6,and Figs. 7 and 8.

In Figs. 5 and 6, the selector comprises preferably a transparentplastic flattened tubular element designated by the character ofreference 11a. This selector may beV provided with vertical lines, notshown, corresponding with lines 19'01'1 selector 11, thereby definingthe twenty Vertical strips or Zones designated by the numerals 0 to 9inclusive andthe letters A to I inclusive, together with the directio-nindicating lettersN-S and W-E. This tubular element provides a casing orenvelope in which a pair of transparent, laterally movable strips 21 and22 are housed, and have their inner edges positioned to overlap slightlywhen the stripsare moved upon each other to the maximum extent. Oneopposite edge of each of these strips `is preferably provided with atransparent colored stripe 23. Thus the colored stripes of these movablestrips provide the reference lines and by moving the strips laterally inthe selector casing they may' be lined up to establish any referencepoint such as 3G above or otherwise. In order to adjust strips 21 and 22in the casing provided by the selector envelope, this casing is providedwith rectangular or oval-shaped apertures 2d extending through both theupper and under walls thereof, adjacent to each end and the strips 2l`and 22 are provided with finger or fingernail engaging projections 2@extending from one strip into the apertures 24 inthe upper wall of thecasing and from-the other into the apertures' 24 in the under wallthereof. The ends 25" of the selector tubing are preferably sealedclosed and thereby prevent dislocation'of the strips 21' and 22 in theirhousing.

The selector lllb shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is similar to selector 11acomprising a transparent tubular member preferably formed by folding atransparent strip of plastic upon itself with the overlying portionsadapted to be spaced slightly and open along edge 26 opposite the fold27. This selector 11b likewise may bear the vertical lines, not shown,lettered and numbered indicia and the geographical directions as inselectors 11 and l1 for use in connection" with'the indicia bearingentries of a telephone directory list. Selector 11b further' has itsupper and lower ends provided with equallyk spaced notches 28corresponding with the spaced vertical index lines which are'preferablymerely represented by the notches, and upper and lower sets of lettersand numerals.

In the mid-portion adjacent to each of the ends is an aperture 29extending transversely through the two portions lof the selecto-r andeach of these apertures is connected with respective endsby slits 30which may be spread sufficiently to permit the insertion of a strand ofan elastic band 31. Thiselastic band 31 is stretched between the twooverlying face` portions ofthe selector body and provides the referencelines 32 and 33 in the manner of lines 3 and G of selector 11. The endportions 34 of this elastic band extend over the ends of the selectoroverlying portions from one of the line portions 32 and 33 of the bandover the outer surface thereofthence through the'apertures to the outerside of the other selector overlying portion and to the other lineportion of the band. in this way external loops or stretches 34 of theband provide means whereby the bandmay be easilyl moved from one set ofend notches 28' to another for establishing reference lines for theselector set for-any desired reference point on the coder 12. The openedge Z6 is provided to facilitate initially placing the elasticl band 31andreplacement of an old or broken band by a new one.

The selector may be further modified as shown in Fig. 9 by providing atransparent strip 11c of plastic material of a width to cover severalcolumns of a telephone directory list of indicia bearing entries, a twocolumn width selector being shown. For each column the strip may bearsimilar lines and letters and numbered columns and geographical symbolsas described in connection withl selectc'ir 11", bu't' asH shownpreferably" distinctive" vertical'lines 35 dividingth'e'columns alongmidlines,

as Willbe understood from the'description of'selector'll/ anda' line'346 ldividing-the selector into two selector'elel ments and providing aguide linefor overlying the columnline in the telephone directory whenthe selector 11' 1s ysuperiin'posedover two'columns of the listings. Inthis form of selector a further modified arrangement' forv identifyingthe indicia points'is shown comprising strips 37 of colored transparent'plastic material which' are' adhesively' attachedV as shown in eachcolumn for thel reference lines .6 and G. In this way a distinctivetransparentband is provided through which the indicia may be readilyobserved and'a desired listing may be quickly ascertained. Obviously for-other reference points both the width and positioning ofthe lband mayvary so 'that it isnecessary toV have such bands of widths varying from"the minimum'to maximum widths so as to cover refer# ence points at anylocation on the' map or coder 12. In"

eachinstance, however, it` will be noted that thestrip' covers thecolumn dividing line 35 and extends to the required N-S and W-E Zonelines of the column asis understood from theV description of thedirectory column" andits indicia bearing entries and particularlydescribed reference'point, the area in which the user lives or desiresto determine =or select'the nearest indicia bearing entries, theselection may be made at a glance 'of the indicia along the referencelines; As already set forth, if' the ends of the indicia'underlines areto one side or the other of the selector reference lines, as well as thenorth-south and west-east relationships that: can be definitelyestablished, the approximate distances thereof may be determined by thedistance of the ends Aof such indicia underscore lines from thereference line both north and south, and westiand east.

While'the column 17 and coder 12 may bedivided into zones of definitewidths and the lines on the selector correspond therewith', for thepurposes of illustration I: have divided the map into ten zones northand south and' thesame west andv east, likewise the selectorcorrespondingly, so as not to complicate. the parts with too manyV linesand yet with suflicient lines so that the location on the' map may bequickly ascertained.

Thus it will be seen that any one familiar with the area covered bythelistingcan quickly note the direction and approximate distance of anyentry selected with thek selector superimposed `over the indicia bearingentries,.

and anyone may determine the definite location on the map. or coder 12Yby observing the line numeral and letterof the indiciapoints with theselector and with these'refer to the coder 12.V

In the` foregoing it willbe seen that I have provideda list, a selectorand a coder as applied to listings in-a telephone directory,specifically as applied to a classified list of business firms.Obviously such arrangement may be applied to other lists having indiciabearing entries. Such'lists need not necessarily be confined to persons.or businesses since the invention is applicable to lists in general. Theindicia in connection with the entries of the list element, provide acode system from which selections may be made and interpreted' with theselectorelement and decoded Iby reference to the coder element.'

Iffclaim:

l; Means to'facilita'te the selection of desired entries from a listcomprising, a list arranged in a columnv having horizontal lines ofvarying lengths associated with entries of the list and crossing the midposition of the column, the ends of which lines constitute indiciapoints, one in each half of the column in accordance with theclassification iof information to be ascertained with respect to theentry, and a selector of transparent material bearing a verticallydisposed reference line for each half of the list column to besuperposed over the list so that the indicia points on the entries maybe identified with respect to the reference lines and the desiredentries selected.

2. Means to facilitate the selection of desired entries from a listcomprising, a list arranged in a column having horizontal lines ofvarying lengths associated with entries of the list and crossing the midposition of the column, the ends of which lines constitute indiciapoints, one in each half of the column in accordance with theclassification of information to be ascertained with respect to theentry, a yselector of transparent material bearing a vertically disposedreference line for each half of the list column to be superposed overthe list so that the indicia points on the entries may be identifiedwith respect to the reference lines and the desired entries selected,and a coder which provides the relation between the location of theindicia with reference to the entries and the classifyingcharacteristics of the entries.

3. Means to facilitate the selection of desired entries from a listwherein the list entries are arranged in and define a column, at leastone indicia marking associated with each entry positioned within thewidth of said column so as to classify the entry as to the classifiedinformation pertaining to the entry, and a selector of transparentmaterial to be disposed over the column of listings and said indicia,said selector bearing a vertical reference line intercepting indiciaassociated with certain entries of the list of entries to be selected.

4. The means as set forth in claim 3 in which the selector is providedwith a plurality of grooves and in which at least one selected of saidgrooves is darkened by material deposited therein to display saidreference line.

5. The means as set forth in claim 3 in which the reference line ismovable.

6. The means as set forth in claim 3 in which the selector comprises arectangular casing and said reference line is carried by a strip oftransparent material housed in the casing and the said strip is providedwith means extending through apertures in the casing for moving thestrip within the casing. v

7. Means to facilitate the selection of desired entries from a listwherein the list entries are arranged in a column, indicia markingsdefining pairs of indicia points associated with each entry positionedin opposite halves of the column with respect to the entry so as toclassify the entry as to the classified information pertaining to theentry, a selector of transparent material having vertical zone linesdisposed over both halves of a face thereof to be disposed over thecolumn of listings and said indicia, two of said lines beingdistinctively marked as reference lines for intercepting indicia pointsassociated with certain entries of opposite halves of the column of thelist of entries to be selected, and a coder which provides the relationbetween the location of pairs of indicia points with reference to theentries.

8. The means as set forth in claim 7 in which the reference lines arerepresented by stretches of elastic band material.

9. The means as set forth in claim 7 in which the selecto-r comprises acasing and the reference lines arey represented by stretches of elasticband material within the casing.

10. The means as set forth in claim 7 in which said reference lines areprovided by the opposite edges of a transparent strip.

11. Means to facilitate the selection of desired entries from a listincluding a selector as set forth in claim 7 wherein the said zone linesin one half of the column correspond to vertical zones o-n the coder andthe zone lines of the other half column correspond to horizontal zoneson the coder.

12. Means to facilitate the selection of desired entries from a listincluding a selector as set forth in claim 7 wherein the said zone linesin one half of the column correspond to vertical zones on the coder andthe zone lines of the other half column co-rrespond to horizontal zoneson the coder, and the coder comprises a map having vertical andhorizontal lines defining N-S and ih/E zones corresponding with the zonelines on the selector.

13. Means to facilitate the selection of desired entries from a listincluding a selector as set forth in claim 7 wherein the said zone linesin one half of the column correspond to vertical zones on the coder andthe zone lines of the other half column correspond to horizontal zoneson the coder, and characters of reference associated with each of thezone lines on the selector.

14. Means to facilitate the selection of desired entries from a listincluding a selector as set forth in claim 7 wherein the said zone linesin one half of the column correspond to vertical zones on the coder andthe zone lines of the other half column correspond to horizontal zoneson the coder, and the coder comprises a map having vertical andhorizontal lines defining N-S and W-E zones corresponding with the zonelines on the selector, characters of reference in the form of numeralsand letters associated with the zone lines on the selector representinghorizontal and vertical zones on the coder map, and correspondingcharacters of reference associated with corresponding zones on the codermap.

15. Means to facilitate the selection of desired entries from a listincluding a selector as set forth in claim 7 wherein the said zone linesin one half of the column correspond to vertical zones on the coder andthe zone lines of the other half column correspond to horizontal zoneson the coder, and the coder comprises a map having vertical andhorizontal lines defining N-S and W-E sections and zones correspondingwith the zone lines on the selector, characters of reference in the formof numerals and letters associated with the selector zone linesrepresenting horizontal and vertical zones on the coder map, directionletter references N and S, and W and E at the head of the correspondingselector zone lines7 and corresponding characters of referenceassociated with corresponding zones `on the coder map.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS332,167 Schild Dec. 8, 1885 1,089,741 Batterson Mar. 10, 1914 1,147,749Plato July 27, 1915 1,276,657 ibanez Aug. 20, 1918 1,334,957 LiedstrandMar. 30, 1920 1,502,850 Fisher July 29, 1924 1,512,598 Harriman Oct. 2l,1924 1,544,182 Ricks June 30, 1925 1,591,865 Wagner July 6, 19262,052,369 Toops Aug. 25, 1936 2,296,799 Rosin Sent. 22, 1942 2,344,585Bailey Mar. 21, 1944 2,615,625 Youtcheff Oct. 28, 1952

